A Developmental Perspective of Adolescence

  • Wayne V. Adams
  • David V. Sheslow
Chapter
Part of the Current Issues in Autism book series (CIAM)

Abstract

Our understanding of “normal adolescence” is full of unknowns and speculation; the study of the exceptional adolescent is just beginning. It is the aim of this chapter to give an overview of what is known of normal adolescence so we might better understand the issues faced by the autistic teenager and his family in terms of developmental changes and behavioral expectations. After a brief historical perspective we will focus on three major aspects which define adolescence: physical development, cognitive development, and social-emotional development. At the end of each of these sections some comments will be made concerning what is known about the autistic adolescent within each of these three major areas of development. At the end of the chapter additional comments will be made as to the challenge which awaits parents, researchers, and the autistic adolescent himself.

Keywords

Anorexia Nervosa Eating Disorder Autistic Child Physical Change Developmental Perspective 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 1983

Authors and Affiliations

  • Wayne V. Adams
    • 1
  • David V. Sheslow
    • 1
  1. 1.Child Diagnostic and Development ClinicAlfred I. duPont InstituteWilmingtonUSA

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